What Crew Members Say About Celestyal-Journey

As the cruise industry gears up for a busy summer, several ships will kick off their voyages this May. The 'Mein Schiff 5' is scheduled to start its summer season in the beautiful Eastern Mediterranean from Heraklion on May 15, 2026. Shortly after, on May 17, the 'Mein Schiff 4' will launch its operations from Trieste, where it will operate cruises across the Adriatic Sea. Given the extensive journey duration for these two TUI Cruises vessels, which involves navigating south around Africa and making crucial logistical stops, their schedules are quite ambitious. On May 16, the 'MSC Euribia', managed by MSC Cruises, is set to embark on its maiden journey from Kiel, albeit two weeks behind schedule. This ship will offer voyages to the stunning Norwegian fjords, connecting Kiel and Copenhagen. Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises is in the process of repositioning its fleet from the Middle East to the Mediterranean. However, this transition has left observers wondering about the routes being taken since both vessels have turned off their AIS signals, making it impossible to track their movements through either the Red Sea and Suez Canal or around Africa. Latest updates suggest that 'Celestyal Discovery' is headed towards the Suez Canal, while 'Celestyal Journey' appears to be on a course for Cape Town. Both ships are set to operate all booked voyages, with 'Celestyal Discovery' slated to start on May 22, 2026, from Lavrion, followed by 'Celestyal Journey' scheduled to embark on May 23, 2026, in Piraeus. Additionally, the last of the six cruise ships departing from the Persian Gulf, the 'Aroya' operated by Aroya Cruises, is expected to reach Jeddah on April 27, 2026. Following a challenging navigation along the Yemeni coast, the 'Aroya' is anticipated to greet its first guests in Jeddah by May 14, 2026. Here’s a quick overview of the upcoming cruise ship launch dates: - May 14, 2026: Aroya (Aroya Cruises) in Jeddah - May 15, 2026: Mein Schiff 5 (TUI Cruises) in Heraklion - May 16, 2026: MSC Euribia (MSC Cruises) in Kiel - May 17, 2026: Mein Schiff 4 (TUI Cruises) in Trieste - May 22, 2026: Celestyal Discovery in Lavrion/Athens - May 23, 2026: Celestyal Journey in Piraeus/Athens Exciting times are ahead for cruise enthusiasts as these ships set sail into popular travel destinations!

On April 17, the 'Celestyal Discovery' successfully traversed the narrow Strait of Hormuz, paving the way for the departure of four additional cruise ships. The 'Celestyal Journey' and 'Mein Schiff 5' set sail from Doha, while the 'Mein Schiff 4' departed from Abu Dhabi, and the 'MSC Euribia' left Dubai. Notably, the 'Aroya', which journeyed from Dubai to Dammam in late March, remains stationary. As of now, the 'Celestyal Journey', 'MSC Euribia', 'Mein Schiff 4', and 'Mein Schiff 5' are making rapid progress towards Khasab, a port located directly along the strategically significant waterway that has faced previous blockades by Iran. The 'Celestyal Discovery' was the only vessel to capitalize on the temporary reopening resulting from a ceasefire agreement. However, the situation escalated on the morning of April 18 when Iran reestablished its closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The implications for the four cruise ships currently at sea are still uncertain, although they are presumed to be navigating towards Khasab Bay to exit the Middle East as swiftly as possible. In light of the unfolding circumstances, positioning these cruise ships near the Strait of Hormuz appears to be a prudent strategy. To enhance safety, a minimal crew is onboard each vessel to assist in their navigation through the Persian Gulf. If they manage to navigate successfully in the next few hours or days, it's anticipated that cruise operations in Europe may not resume for another four weeks. In response to the evolving crisis, TUI Cruises and MSC Cruises have suspended sailings for the three affected vessels until mid-May 2026. By 1:45 p.m., the four cruise ships successfully entered the Strait of Hormuz. Following the same route as the 'Celestyal Discovery' the prior day, they are charted toward the Omani coast, with Muscat set as their next destination. Ship operators are closely monitoring the critical leg of the journey, which is expected to conclude shortly. Decisions regarding their next course—either through the Red Sea and Suez Canal or the alternative longer route around Africa—will be made thereafter.

Passengers aboard the 'Celestyal Journey' have successfully disembarked in Dubai following a period of uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The cruise line provided substantial support to those affected, facilitating onward transfers and accommodations as necessary. Meanwhile, guests still on the 'Celestyal Discovery', currently docked in Doha, Qatar, are awaiting further updates on their disembarkation plans. Travellers are encouraged to reach out to their airlines directly for flight arrangements and to register with their respective embassies for essential updates and potential repatriation assistance. The company is actively working to keep all passengers informed throughout this challenging situation.

The plight of travelers aboard TUI's cruise ships, 'Mein Schiff 4' and 'Mein Schiff 5', as well as the 'MSC Euribia', remained unresolved as of March 1. Fortunately, all passengers are back on board their vessels, which, along with three other cruise liners, continued to be docked in the bustling ports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. The future for these passengers and their cruises, however, was still shrouded in uncertainty. The Persian Gulf has been the scene of military operations, with unverified reports indicating a new focus on the Iranian navy amid escalating tensions. Iran's recent closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz has left vessels trapped within the Gulf, allowing only those connected to China or Russia to navigate through during the night hours. Approximately 2,000 guests scheduled to depart on 'Mein Schiff 4' from Dubai on March 1 were set to head back to Germany. Their return was intended to make way for an equal number of newcomers arriving from Germany for a seven-day 'Magic of the Orient' cruise to Oman, which was now deferred. Similarly, 'Mein Schiff 5' passengers have experienced an unexpected delay in Doha, Qatar, where they have been marooned since February 28 after concluding their cruise. Distressingly, some travelers aboard were forced to return to the airport mid-flight, while others experienced a grueling ten-hour holdup at the airport before being escorted back to the safety of their ship. Passengers on both ships received alarming notifications about missile threats via their smartphones from Qatar's Civil Defense, prompting heightened concern. The ship's captain assured travelers that they were in continuous contact with officials from the German embassy and TUI’s land operations, with updates anticipated later that afternoon. Travelers reported a lack of communication from the cruise line for over a dozen hours, yet remaining aboard was deemed safer than venturing into the chaotic conditions of Doha airport, where lengthy queues left many without information. Passengers were forced to leave their belongings behind and were directed to onboard shops for essentials, although supplies, including underwear, quickly ran out. 'Mein Schiff 5' was expected to welcome new passengers on the evening of March 1, but those plans were also left in limbo. Meanwhile, the 'MSC Euribia' anchored at Port Rashid in Dubai faced similar cancellations, with MSC Cruises announcing the suspension of upcoming voyages following the initial reports of conflict on February 28. Other vessels, including 'Aroya' from Saudi Arabia and 'Celestyal Discovery' from Greece, remained docked in Dubai, while a second Celestyal ship, 'Celestyal Journey', was also anchored in Doha alongside 'Mein Schiff 5'.